What is Amish Poor Man's Steak and how is it different from regular steak?

Amish Poor Man's Steak is a thick hamburger patty that’s coated in flour, pan-fried, and served with a creamy mushroom gravy. Unlike regular steak, it uses ground beef instead of whole cuts, making it a budget-friendly alternative. Despite its simple ingredients, the rich gravy and tender meat create a flavorful meal that mimics the comfort of a traditional smothered steak.

What type of ground beef works best for making Poor Man's Steak?

The best ground beef blend for Poor Man’s Steak is usually a combination of ground round (85/15 lean-to-fat) and ground chuck (80/20 lean-to-fat). This mix balances juiciness with enough fat to keep the patties tender and flavorful. For a leaner option, venison or other game meats can be used but often benefit from mixing with ground chuck to add moisture.

How do I keep the hamburger patties from falling apart during cooking?

To keep patties intact, saltine cracker crumbs are commonly mixed into the ground beef as a binder, absorbing moisture and holding everything together. If patties are breaking apart, check that you’re using the correct crumbs and consider adding an egg for extra binding. Avoid using crumbs like Panko alone, as they do not absorb moisture effectively.

Can the mushroom gravy be customized or made healthier?

Yes, the mushroom gravy typically uses cream of mushroom soup mixed with milk, but you can substitute milk with half-and-half for a richer texture or use beef broth instead of water for added flavor. For a healthier version, low-fat milk and reduced-sodium soup options work well, and you can add sautéed mushrooms for fresh texture.

What are traditional side dishes to serve with Amish Poor Man's Steak?

Amish Poor Man’s Steak pairs well with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles, which absorb the flavorful gravy perfectly. Steamed vegetables or a simple green salad can add freshness to the meal. For extra richness, use leftover gravy as a topping for sides and consider doubling the mushroom soup to ensure there’s enough sauce.

Amish Poor Mans Steak Recipe 5 Simple Family Dinners

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds of hamburger

1 cup of crushed saltine cracker crumbs

1 scant cup of milk

½ small finely chopped onion

1½ teaspoons salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ to ½ cup of flour for coating

3 tablespoons of butter for frying

1 or 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup for the gravy

1½ cups of milk for the gravy

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Instructions

1-mix 2 pounds of hamburger with 1 cup of crushed saltine cracker crumbs, 1 scant cup of milk, ½ small finely chopped onion, 1½ teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon chili powder, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder in a large bowl.

2-Shape the mixture into eight thick patties and coat them with ¼ to ½ cup of flour. Next, fry the patties in 3 tablespoons of butter until they’re browned on each side. Then, place them in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. For the gravy, stir together 1 or 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup with about 1½ cups of milk and pour it over the patties.

3-Bake the dish covered at 350°F (175°C) for 50 to 55 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until everything is hot and bubbly. Let the patties rest a bit before serving them with sides like mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.

Last Step:

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Notes

🥄 For juicier patties, use a mixture of ground round and ground chuck instead of regular hamburger
❄️ Refrigerate shaped patties for 30 minutes before cooking to help them hold their shape better
🍄 Customize your gravy by adding sautéed mushrooms or onion slivers for extra flavor and texture

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 patty
Calories: 482
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 911mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 29g
Cholesterol: 85mg